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Jogyesa Temple - The ceremony is held at Jogye Temple in Seoul.

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Monk's head - Around 10 boys take part in the ceremony each year.

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Preparation - The boys are between five and seven-years-old and have their heads completely shaved.

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Mini-monks - The boys usually stay at the temple for around two weeks, where they learn about the teachings of Buddha and the monks' way of life.

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Apparel - During the ceremony, the children wear the gray robes traditionally worn by monks, known as Seungbok.

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Religion - Although Buddhism is not the major religion of South Korea, it is an important cultural component of the country. Buddha's birthday is a national holiday.

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Religion - There are 26 Buddhist sects and 9,231 temples in South Korea, according to the BBC.

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Religion - According to the BBC, about 11 million South Koreans identify as Buddhist.

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Bow - After having their heads shaved, the baby Buddhas bow towards the Buddha statue.

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Ambassadors - Jogyesa's monks teach the children to act as ambassadors of Buddhism.

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Rubber shoes - The little monks also get to wear Gomusin, literally translated as "rubber shoes," as part of the traditional costume.

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Kids - Even mini monks are still kids!

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Devotion - The shaving of the head and the gray robes symbolize a monastic’s devotion to a simple and spiritual life.

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Kids - Even the dedicated get playful sometimes!

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Reactions - Each boy reacts differently to the ceremony, especially to the shaving of the head. Some laugh and make funny faces upon seeing themselves in the mirror, while others cry.

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Learning opportunity - The children get the opportunity to learn from experienced monks. 

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The objective - After the ceremony, the children learn about different Buddhist beliefs.

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Lanterns - Buddha's birthday is also celebrated with lotus flower lanterns, which symbolize rising above the entrapment of ordinary life to attain enlightenment. The beautiful flower famously grows in mud ponds and serves as a metaphor.

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Wishes - Temples around the country are filled with lanterns with people's wishes are written and hung alongside them.

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Lanterns - This year, the Lotus Lantern Festival starts on Buddha's Birthday on May 5 and will go through May 22.

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Festival - The festival is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. Participants gather to wish happiness and well-being to the world.

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Festival - On May 12, a huge lantern procession will take place on the streets of Seoul.

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Thematic - The parades are always related to wishes of peace and harmony.

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Dragon - The festival also pays homage to the country's dragon tradition.

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Colorful - The festivities also include other traditions, such as a procession displaying traditional dance and small lanterns.

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